GECS 188B: Human/Nature: European Perspectives on Climate Change and What To Do About ItInstructor: Sabine von Mering Prerequisites: None Course Description: Scientists say that we have until 2030 to completely stop pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere if we want to avoid catastrophic warming. Yet emissions continue to rise, and despite the fact that China and India are seeing the highest increases in emissions overall, Americans continue to be by far the biggest polluters per capita (apart from very small countries like Qatar). </br></br>The current US government has from day one been systematically undoing all progress on climate, explicitly supporting the fossil fuel industry Climate denial is growing even in Germany and other European countries that have contributed the most to the problem. And yet, we are also seeing record growth of renewable energy across the world. Many Americans are looking to Europe for guidance and inspiration on how to tackle the problem of climate change differently. </br></br>Contrary to North Americans, Europeans have largely accepted the reality of climate change, and many European governments are contributing significant funds to study climate change mitigation to curb CO2 emissions and adaptation to build resilience. The European Union is committed to spending at least 20% of its budget on climate. Denmark plans to be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2050. Many countries have committed to phasing out gas-powered cars. Germany is producing more than twice as much of its electricity needs from renewables than the US in far less favorable conditions. The Netherlands are much better prepared than the US for the kind of flooding we are likely to see in the coming years. </br></br>In this class we will explore what preconditions must be met that politicians will act in the best interest of the people. What can we learn from Europe?</br></br>An issue like climate change suffers in part from the fact that those who understand its intricacies best (the scientists) tend to be least prepared/willing to communicate them. Indeed, the problem of climate change is the ideal case to be made for a liberal arts education: Only through close cooperation of science, social science, humanities and creative arts can a problem of this magnitude be appropriately addressed.</br></br>In this course we will investigate how this works in the European context: How did European discourses about climate change evolve? How have Europeans addressed the issues in the media, in politics, economics, art, literature, and film? What are the historical roots of these discourses? How did these result in political and policy directions? And what role do the humanities play in helping us understand the problem and develop solutions? Session: Session I Day: M, T, Th Time: 11:10am - 1:40pm Credit Hours: 4 Credits Course Format: Remote Learning Course for Summer 2026 Brandeis Graduation Requirement Fulfilled: DJW, HUM, OC, WI Enrollment Limit: Course Classification: Undergraduate Level Course Course Tuition: Course Fees: None Open to High School Students: Yes |
